Episode 139 - Mat Carriers: The Friends you NEED.

YES THIS IS THE CORRECT PODCAST! Don't be confused - this podcast was first named "Grace in Progress," so that's what you will hear in this throwback episode, and we are going all the way back to 2019 for this one! This information feels even more relevant today as I have so many people in my life walking through heavy seasons and relying on vital friendships like the ones mentioned in this episode.

We all have many different types of friends (acquaintances, coworkers, neighbors, etc), but this episode dives into a special type of friend that I call a "mat carrier," based on the miracle story in Mark 2. Learn what this important friend looks like with 5 characteristics of a mat carrier, and how to recognize/apply these characteristics in your life.

Bible verse:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202:1-12;&version=NIV

Transcript

Hello and welcome to Episode 15 of Grace in Progress. My name is Briana Leach. I'm a wife, a mom of three, and a licensed counselor. And I am a big fan of bottomless chips and salsa and watching my son play basketball. And I fully believe that if you woke up this morning, when you have a purpose, this podcast was created to give you a safe space to learn more about yourself, take small steps to become the person you were created to be, and give yourself lots of grace along the way. I am so glad you're listening today. If you haven't already subscribed to the podcast, please pause and go do that right now so that you stay up to date every Wednesday when there's a new episode released. And for those of you who have left reviews or have shared on social media or with friends by word of mouth, I am so thankful for you. That is the one thing that keeps us going and allow us the message to get out to more people, to be able to do what this podcast was created to. D'oh! Okay, I am so excited about this week's topic. And yes, I probably say that every week, but I mean it. And this week, especially. I'm talking about friendship, and obviously we are in a season nearing Christmas, talking about friends near and far, gathering with those we hold dearest and maybe you already thinking about the friends in your life. But today I want to hone in on a particular type of friend, and I call them Matt Carriers, which I'll explain in a moment when I meet a new client. One of the first questions I ask. Besides, what are you eating and how much sleep are you getting? I always ask, What is your support system? Who in your life is there to support you to be there when you need them to call you out when you're doing something wrong that is so essential to who you are as a whole, this is an important question for my clients to answer, and also for you. They're listening today. Who are the people in your life that you know you can count on? And as necessary as it is to have an answer to that question, it could be a really difficult question. Answer If you listen this podcast more than an episode or two, you know how much I love a blank Google screen. And so, of course, I type in what is the definition of a true friend? And you know what? Over three billion results came in. Not 3000 not three million, even three billion. This is something people are wanting to know about. They don't know the answer, that question necessarily. And in those moments when I can't find an answer to something, honestly, I turned to the Bible for any examples that Jesus might have given us. A few years ago, I was at a women's conference or retreat. I kind of forget the exact event. But I will never forget what I learned and gained after hearing the passage of Mark two. And this is in the Bible. It's in the New Testament talking about some of the different miracles that Jesus performed during his time on Earth. It's just a couple verses, so I'll read it to you. It's found in Mark, too, it says. A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd. They made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man. Son, your sins are forgiven, and the passage goes on to also include that. He told him to take up his Mattan walk, and the guy that was paralyzed was completely healed in that moment. Now, when I heard this at the women's conference, they were more or less talking about the amazing part of the miracle and the paralyzed man getting up and walking away and out of that house, and that is incredible. And it's wonderful. But the most amazing part to me was that this guy had four friends who carried him to this house, and not only to the house. Saw the crowd turned around, went back. Thought will come another day. They climbed upon the roof dug out the hole in the ceiling and brought their friend of Jesus to me. No Google searches needed. That is the definition of a true friend. I remember sitting in the auditorium after the women's event and hearing that passage again, and it's not the first time I had heard it. I'd probably heard it multiple times in my life. And just having this new realization that these Matt carriers were the most essential part of this entire story, they were the reason the miracle even happened. And it just gave me this weight or responsibility. I'm not sure how to put it, but this new lens of viewing friendship through. Then, of course, I got asking the questions. Am am, I am at carrier for other people or for my friends who are my mat carriers. Do I have any? Do I need four wood to work? Is my husband one? I don't know. All these questions started popping into my head. I won't go into any research like I normally do on the importance of friendship. I think we can all agree how important it is to have people in your life that no you that support you and can be there for you in your time of need. But for this episode, I came up with five things that a mat carrier definitely is so that you can look around your life. Look at the relationships you have. And while acquaintances are great and not every friend in your life has to be one of these matt carriers, have you identified and appreciated the ones that are so looking at this example in Mark, these Matt carriers number one, they see you as you are. We don't know anything about how long this man had been sick or had been paralyzed if it was an accident or if he was born that way. But we do know these friends were there. They were with him. He did not have to get his act together for them to be present. So true, Matt carriers in your life, really friends don't make you put on an act. They don't make you feel uncomfortable or like you can't be yourself. Number two Matt carriers. They are there when you need them. Another name might be your 3 a.m. Friend. So if you're having a hard time identifying who this might be. When you have an issue or a crisis come up. Who's the first person that you taxed? Her call, Who's the person who? You send the text and say, Please be praying or please send help. Get over here right away. Thes air, Not people who call you needy because you asked them for help. They return your phone calls, they check in on you. They are there when you need them and without expecting anything in return. The third thing on that carrier is they are not afraid of making you uncomfortable. This applies both physically and emotionally. Think about it in this story. Thes friends carried the man on a mat. Who knows how far? We don't know if they live down the street or many miles away, but they were like, You know what? You need a healing. The guy who heals is in town. We're getting you there whether you like it or not. And I love that about thes friends. They're not afraid to make you uncomfortable. And who is that in your life? Who calls you out on your junk? Who says, Wow, you're not really acting like yourself today? or this week or this month. How can I help? What can I do to help get you back to your normal self? Who knows if this friend had said No, I don't need to see Jesus. It's fine. I'm sure I'll feel better. It's fine. I could be paralyzed is not a big deal. I don't wanna bother anyone. Thes friends said. Lay down, strap you in were carrying you and we're going true. Matt carriers are not afraid to make you uncomfortable. Number four. And I added this. Considering our current world and technology, the nice thing about Matt carriers proximity does not matter. I will tell you right now that three of my mat carriers are in different states. I'm in Missouri. One is in California. One is in Tennessee. One is in Maine. They cannot physically be next to my side. But you better believe that if I text them or call, they're there when I need them. So proximity does not matter. It doesn't even have to be someone in your same city. It could be someone who is pouring into you, who meets you, where you're at, but can do that from a distance and the opposite is true. Just cause you have a friend close by doesn't mean they're Matt Carrier. They may not be meeting all the other criteria and they may just be a companion or somebody you do fun things with. But deep down, they're not caring for you on the soul level again. That type of friend, not a bad thing they're great toe have. But that would be more of an acquaintance rather than a Mac carrier. So don't discount someone just because they're not down the road from you or in the same city. As long as this friend is doing the other things on this list, then they definitely qualify as a mat carrier. And finally, number five Matt carriers bring you to Jesus. Look at these friends. They went through all the trouble of carrying their friend, however far digging a hole in the roof, all for the purpose of bringing their friend to Jesus and ultimately, the way they positioned their friend and their faith is what healed him. When you look at Verse five in that chapter, it says when Jesus saw their faith, it doesn't say when Jesus saw his faith. The man lying on the mat. It said when he saw their faith. Then you took action. I mean, right there. That's a true friend. A true friend. Let's go through again. Is one that sees you as you are. You don't have to be presentable. Number two. They're there when you need them. No, drama. They return your phone calls. They don't call you needy. Number three. They're not afraid of making you uncomfortable physically or emotionally. Number four proximity doesn't matter with Matt carriers. As long as you have access to them and they're there for you. And number five Matt carriers bring you to Jesus. Now, you may be hearing all of this and say, you know what? I don't have any friends, and I'm gonna cry now, but I promise they might be there, and you haven't taken the time to recognize it. And if you are newly recognizing someone in your life that is a Mac carrier, please tell them you can share this podcast with them toe, let them know, or tagged them on one of my post so that they can understand this concept. But they're out there and again if you're having a hard time identifying these people in your life. My next question is, Who's Matt? Are you carrying? Who are you seeing as they are and not judging who they are? Who are you there for? When they need you? Who were you not afraid of making uncomfortable? Who are you pushing out of their comfort zone and asking them how they're doing or what's really going on? Who are you pursuing even from afar? And finally, who are you bringing to Jesus? If we want good friends, we have to be good friends if we want Matt carriers, we have to be Matt carriers for other people, and this all is so essential to who you are as a whole recognizing these people, being that person for other friends. And, of course, giving yourself grace as you navigate all of this. Friendship is tricky. Life is tricky and could be really tough sometimes and give grace in the thought that you're Matt. Carriers may not look the same in every season, and that's okay, but know that you don't have to do it alone. There are people in your life who want to carry your mat. You just need to take the time to recognize, appreciate them and be that for other people they might be closer than you think. Your spouse, hopefully is one of your met carriers. They might be siblings or family members. It doesn't have to be just non relatives either, and it doesn't have to be fore. I would say the minimum would be too kind of like a pageant. Should the first place winner him not be able to fulfill his or her duty, you would have an alternate. But I would say you need at least two people to carry your mat. It could be way more than that. And even in the story there were four carrying the mat. But there were other friends present. All I know is that this example of friendship has revolutionised how I look at my friends and they not only are there for support and encouragement and seeing me as I am, but they can literally lead two miracles in my life in the week ahead. I hope you will identify who your mat carriers are and let those people know how important they are to you. You've got this and I'm cheering you on. Thanks so much for listening